Chinese Chery goes Brazilian with Santos and Neymar
By Mark Baber
March 25 – An unusual 8-day, 3-match deal between Chinese automaker Chery and Brazilian club Santos concluded yesterday after the Palmeiras-Santos game.
South America
Rosell under pressure over Brazil friendly promotion
By Andrew Warshaw
March 13 – Just as his club were staging one of their greatest comebacks to take their customary place in the Champions League quarterfinals, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell (pictured) found himself at the centre of possible fraud charges in Brazil.
Corinthians protest flare death bans
By Mark Baber
February 25 – Corinthians are appealing the penalties imposed by CONMEBOL on the club after the tragic death of 14-year-old Bolivian fan Kevin Beltran Espada, who was struck by a flare allegedly thrown by travelling Corinthians supporters.
Grondona to step down as head of AFA in 2015 but continue at FIFA
January 30 – Julio Grondona, president of the Argentinean Football Federation (AFA) has said he will step down from the AFA presidency in 2015, at the end of his current term.
CONMEBOL boss recovering in hospital after heart surgery
By Andrew Warshaw
November 11 – Nicolás Leoz, the 84-year-old President of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), is recovering in hospital in São Paulo following heart surgery.
Hulk’s sister reunited with family after kidnapping
By Andrew Warshaw
November 8 – The sister of Brazil’s Zenit St Petersburg striker Hulk has been reunited with her family after being kidnapped for 24 hours.
Havelange brands Menezes a “moron” and calls for the return of Scolari
By Andrew Warshaw
November 1 – Brazil’s former FIFA President João Havelange has launched a scathing attack on national team coach Mano Menezes and has called on Felipe Scolari to return to the helm.
Luisão has ban extended worldwide
By David Gold
September 20 – Brazilian defender Luisão has been handed a global ban from football for two months by FIFA following an incident in a pre-season friendly.
Abreu serves suspension after goading Flamengo fans
By David Gold
September 15 – Uruguayan forward Sebastián Abreu has served the one-match suspension handed to him by a Brazilian sports tribunal after provoking Flamengo supporters during a Brazilian league game.
Romário launches attack on CBF and Brazil coach Menezes
By David Gold
September 13 – Legendary Brazilian forward Romário, now a Congressman in Brazil’s Parliament, has accused the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and national team coach Mano Menezes of using international matches to promote players for their own benefit.
Argentina squad attacked in Peru ahead of World Cup qualifier
By David Gold
September 12 – Argentina’s national team has been attacked while travelling in Lima prior to a FIFA World Cup qualifier with Peru.
São Paulo sign shirt sponsorship deal with Toshiba
By David Gold
September 10 – Brazilian outfit São Paulo have signed a new shirt sponsorship agreement with Semp Toshiba, in a R$23 million (£7.1 million/$11 million/€8.6 million) a year deal running through until the end of 2014.
Agents banned as Argentina probes alleged tax evasion involving player transfers
By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – The Federal Administration of Public Income (AFIP), Argentina’s national tax agency, has suspended almost 150 football agents as part of a detailed investigation into alleged tax evasion involving player transfers to overseas clubs.
Brazil fans honour memory of 1970 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Félix
By David Gold
August 28 – A minute’s silence was observed at every Brazilian league match at the weekend after Félix, the country’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper in 1970, passed away aged 74.
Santander inks deal to support leading South American competition
By David Gold
August 26 – Santander has agreed a three-year deal to become the title sponsor of the Recopa Sudamericana, which pits the winner of South America’s two major continental club competitions against each other.